Thieves hit airport ticket machines

POLICE are hunting thieves who used a stolen ute and the oxy-acetylene welder on its tray to try to bust open two paid-parking machines at Mackay Airport.

Sergeant Darren Nolan, of Mackay police, said sometime after 7pm on Sunday and before 5am yesterday an unknown number of people stole a work utility from Farleigh, which had an oxy-acetylene flame welder on board.

“The thieves then drove the vehicle to Mackay Airport where they unsuccessfully attempted to steal cash from the paid-parking ticketing machine,” he said.

“The assailants tried to use the oxy-acetylene flame from the welder to melt through the thick metal hinges.”

The thieves darkened the metal and caused a small amount of damage but did not have much luck busting it open.

Detective Senior Sergeant Rod Carroll said the thieves then drove the car to Connor's Road, at Paget, before dumping it and setting it alight.

“We have seized what's left of the vehicle as evidence. Half the outside shell has been burnt out.”

Det Snr Sgt Carroll said the attempted theft of the money inside the paid-parking ticketing machine was a bold move.

“There are CCTV cameras on site,” he said.

“There's also a number of people actually sleeping in their cars overnight when they have to get the first flight out,” he said.

It was unknown how much money was kept in the machines but airport staff emptied them regularly.

Police were waiting to review CCTV footage.

Det Snr Sgt Carroll called on anyone who might have seen suspicious behaviour at the Mackay Airport on Sunday night or early yesterday morning to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Mackay Police on 4968 3444.